East Lyme — Department of Correction medical staff on Saturday delivered a baby to an expectant woman in her early 20s at York Correctional Institution.

The woman was admitted to York on Friday evening "pending charges of Violation of a Protective Order." A medical assessment determined she was eight months' pregnant, had not received prenatal care and was detoxing from opiates, according to a news release.

Department of Correction medical staff "took all necessary precautions to provide enhanced medical care" and assigned her to a medical unit for close monitoring, the release states.

About 3 p.m. Saturday, she informed staff she believed she was in labor, and staff immediately assessed her condition and called 911, the release states. The staff delivered the baby before an ambulance arrived, and she and her newborn baby were taken to a local hospital.

The release states that a "preliminary review shows that policy requirements were followed: she had been assessed at a hospital prior to intake at the facility, had contacts with nursing staff throughout the night, and was last assessed and had no complaints two hours before labor."

“We are proud to report the mother and the baby are doing well and are receiving medical care following this birth," DOC Commissioner Angel Quiros said in a statement. "I am proud that our medical team was prepared to receive this woman, and she was able to receive the necessary resources and attention which are required for a woman going through prenatal care. Following policy and established protocols for expectant incarcerated mothers, our nursing staff safely delivered a baby during a situation where active labor to delivery was literally just a couple of minutes."

"I commend the facility custody and health services staff for the quick response and remarkable care they provided," Quiros added. "They were true professionals approaching a very sensitive situation with decency, respect and grace."

After a woman gave birth in her cell at York Correctional Institution in February 2018, the state announced a month later a proposal to address protocols for pregnant women and other measures to provide a more humane environment for incarcerated women.